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PhD Studentship in single molecule neuroscience

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
Australia
Closing date
Jul 9, 2019

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Job Details

Queensland Brain Institute

The Queensland Brain Institute works to understand the development, organisation and function of the brain. We aim to understand the neural circuits in the brain, how their function results in behavioural outcomes, and how dysfunction of these circuits leads to disorders such as dementia, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. We aim to (1) Develop novel therapeutic approaches to treat disorders of neural function and (2) Use our understanding of brain function to improve learning in classrooms and in the workplace.

Established in 2003, QBI ( www.qbi.uq.edu.au ) is housed on the St Lucia campus of UQ. It is home to more than 450 staff and students, including 41 group leaders.

Over the past decade QBI has become known as one of the world's leading neuroscience research institutes. It played a key role in contributing to UQ attaining the highest possible score of 5 for neuroscience, in the 2010, 2012, and 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessments, one of only two universities in Australia to achieve this.

The award

Brain cells are characterised by their ability to communicate with each other at the synapse and to survive much longer than any other cells. These two essential properties are affected in ageing and disease.

Our laboratory has contributed to the rapidly emerging super-resolution field by providing a means of visualising single molecule behaviour in living neurosecretory cells and primary neuron nerve endings (1-4) to unravel some of the key steps of neuronal communication. The successful candidate will join the established laboratory group of Professor Frederic Meunier at the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland and will use super-resolution microscopy among other methods to detect and track individual protein molecules in live cultured neurons. This project aims to characterize a novel role for saturated free fatty acids in memory and learning by studying membrane trafficking in neurons and neurosecretory cells. To learn more about the research group and its leader, Professor Fred Meunier, please go to the following link: https://qbi.uq.edu.au/meuniergroup

References
  1. Joensuu and Martínez-Mármol et al ., Visualizing endocytic recycling and trafficking in live neurons by subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules. Nat Protocols 12: 2590-2622 (2017)
  2. Joensuu et al. , Subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules reveals heterogeneous motion states of synaptic vesicles. J Cell Biol 215, 277-292 (2016)
  3. Bademosi et al. , In vivo single-molecule imaging of syntaxin1A reveals polyphospho-inositide- and activity-dependent trapping in presynaptic nanoclusters. Nat Commun 8, 13660 (2017).
  4. Wang et al. , Control of autophagosome axonal retrograde flux by presynaptic activity unveiled using botulinum neurotoxin type A. J. Neurosci 35, 6179-6194 (2015).

Selection criteria ( desirable)
  • First Class Honours, Master of Science degree or equivalent from the field of neuroscience, cell biology or biophysics, or other relevant scientific discipline
  • Experience and knowledge in imaging and molecular biology techniques
  • Self-reliance, motivation and high level interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
  • Ability to work responsibly, accurately and independently
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to bring the work to completion so as to obtain publishable results
  • Excellent record-keeping skills
  • Dedication and focus on the research undertaking
  • Willing to undergo further training as required
  • Awareness of laboratory safety, occupational health and safety protocols;
  • Animal handling skills (rodents)
  • Demonstration of research ability through publication output in peer reviewed international journals is highly desirable

Remuneration

Selected prospective international or domestic student will receive a UQ scholarship consisting of tuition fees, a living stipend and Overseas Student Health Cover (for international applicants) to work on a project aligned with a successful ARC DECRA project (DE190100565). The 2019 Research Training Program (RTP) living allowance stipend rate is AUD$27,596 per annum (tax-free and indexed annually) for three years, with the possibility of extension up to 12 months ( conditions apply ). For further information on scholarships refer to: http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/scholarships-and-fees .

Enquiries and submission of Expression of Interest

To discuss this role and for further information, please contact Professor Fred Meunier or Dr Merja Joensuu .

To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for consideration, please send the following documents: cover letter; complete official tertiary academic transcripts (with grades/GPA scores, and official grading scale details) and award certificates (testamurs); and a detailed academic resume/CV to Professor Fred Meunier (f.meunier@.uq.edu.au) and Dr Merja Joensuu ( m.joensuu@uq.edu.au ).

Closing Dates

International candidates: July 10th 2019 - the scholarships is offered to a successful applicant via responsive mode, so applicants do not have to wait for a scholarship round to apply.

Domestic candidates: July 10th 2019 - the scholarships is offered to a successful applicant via responsive mode, so applicants do not have to wait for a scholarship round to apply.

Company

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